FIFA reject calls to suspend Israel from international tournaments

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organisation will not impose sanctions on Israeli teams, according to journalist Rob Harris on X.

“Should take no action given that, in the context of the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the FIFA Statutes, the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved & highly complex matter under public international law,” Harris wrote.

The World Cup will take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Iran has qualified for the tournament and was drawn into Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, with all three matches scheduled in the US. 

It remains unclear which team could replace Iran if needed; some media outlets previously suggested that a wild-card could go to Russia, which has been barred from international tournaments since 2022.

By Jeyhun Aghazada